Celtics Rookie Reveals What He’s ‘Not Allowing’ After Debut

Hugo Gonzalez helped the Boston Celtics defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 92-78 in the team’s Summer League opener on Friday night, finishing with 12 points and a game-high five assists in 28 minutes. Gonzalez shot 4-for-12 from the field, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc.

The rookie shooting guard went just 1-for-5 from the free throw line, however, and was critical of his performance at the charity stripe following the contest.

“I’m not allowing myself to miss like today,” Gonzalez said, per Jay King of The Athletic. “What I’m getting upset (about) because of today’s game is because of the free-throw line. Something that, of course, everything in my game I need to improve, but it’s something that I’m not allowing again.”

King explained that the 19-year-old Spaniard was frustrated enough that he was the only member of the team to use the brief halftime intermission to work on his free throws, as most of the others “scattered across the 3-point arc, casually shooting outside shots.”

The extra practice from the free throw line came after four misses during the first half, including all three after he was fouled while attempting a three-pointer.

The Celtics beat writer described that while Gonzalez took his halftime free throws his “expressive face” showed “how he felt about each attempt.”

“That was the main reason (why), at halftime, I was shooting free throws,” the 28th overall pick said. “Because I’m really, really, obsessed with giving my best performance. And I’m not allowing (myself) to miss like that again.”

Despite the missed freebies, the rookie’s Summer League debut was more positive than negative.

Gonzalez grabbed four rebounds (two offensive boards), picked up two blocks and one steal and played scrappy defense, while posting a +11 plus/minus.

The Celtics’ next Summer League contest is scheduled for Sunday against the New York Knicks and Gonzalez could very well see plenty of playing time again.